Brian M. Morgan

Our car is only 7 weeks old but today, the odometer rolled over to 4900 miles. It seems we have been on the go all summer long with trips to Kodak/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for vacation; Washington DC for a conference and mini vacation; 6 trips to Lucasville, Ohio for all-star baseball games; 2 trips north of Point Pleasant for church camp; and finally our last trip to Nashville, Tennessee for North American Youth Congress.

I was very fortunate to attend my 3rd North American Youth Congress this past week. My first youth congress experience was also in Nashville, back in 2003. It was nice to get to back to a familiar city. Even though my first experience with Nashville, the city itself, was unpleasant as my car was broken in to, I truly look forward to going to youth congress and can’t wait for 2011! We ended up being part of a 27 person group from our church and it was my kids’ first youth congress, Missy’s second as she was able to go with me to Nashville the first time. Every time I go, it leaves me inspired!

Even though the 3 day event was busy and we were constantly on the go, with the heat and humidity tiring everyone in the group, it was well worth it for the preached word of God that we heard during each of the services. Every young person should listen to the messages preached during this youth congress, especially if you are wondering what you should be concentrating on or if you are having any doubts whatsoever in serving God. Wednesday night, Bro. Shay Mann delivered a message on following your destiny. Bro. Wayne Huntley’s message on Thursday brought the house down as he dared people to be different, a peculiar, chosen people. And the message I was looking forward to the most, Bro. Wayne Francis’ message on Friday night, did not disappoint. He reminds me so much of a younger Bro. George Scott. His message on being creative and “blasting off” was truly inspiring. He talked about not being satisfied with our last great triumph in church and to keep pushing forward and being innovative in soul winning. I also truly enjoyed Bro. Tim Rutledge’s Friday morning message on youth ministers and workers lifting up our young people, the church of today, and supporting them and catching them if they fall.

Missy and I were also able to attend the two young ministers' seminars during the day sessions on Thursday and Friday and both were inspiring. Interestingly, both mentioned Twitter and being careful about what you "Tweet" and who you follow on Twitter. Bro. Art Hunt from San Diego delivered the message on Thursday, asking us who we are following and challenging each of us to ensure we are following Christ and those who can inspire us. He told a great story of how he had his youth minister follow his young people around to find who was influencing them outside of church. Once the minister had a list of the top 10 influences on their lives, Bro. Hunt then told him to go win those 10 to God. He won 8 of them. What wisdom! Then Bro. Kenneth Haney spoke to us on Friday morning about the importance of working together and being inspiring to others, not only answering the call of God, but doing everything we can to ensure we are chosen after we are called.

We left immediately following service Friday night to get back home for Katie as she had her first ballgame early Saturday morning. So we ended up literally driving all night, arriving at home at 4:45 Saturday morning. Even though that was foolish in and of itself, God kept his hand of protection on us. What a summer we have had.

Brian Morgan is a native of Chesapeake, Ohio and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Marshall University and a Master of Science Degree in Technology Management from the Marshall University Graduate College. He has served as an assistant professor in the Integrated Science and Technology Program at Marshall University since the Fall 2000 semester, and as an associate professor since Summer 2008. His current interests are e-commerce applications and the development of interactive computer-based learning simulations for K-12 students.

He has taught several different courses in computer and information technology, including e-commerce, database systems, C++ programming, Java programming, operating systems, multimedia systems and programming, and data structures with C++. He has also worked over the past four years to help reshape the curriculum of the Integrated Science and Technology’s computer and information technology major to better fit the needs of area employers.

Prior to beginning his teaching career, Brian served as Marshall University’s Director of the Center for Instructional Technology from 1997 to 2000. He was responsible for the everyday duties of the Center, as well as managing Instructional Technology and World Wide Web Development on both the Huntington and South Charleston campuses of Marshall University, and coordinating faculty and staff IT development training programs.

His career using technology at the professional level began in 1996 when he was hired as the first Instructional Technologist at Marshall University. In this role, he was responsible for working with Information Technology staff and faculty from a variety of disciplines on the selection and production of CD-ROM-based and WWW-based multimedia instructional materials, assisting faculty and staff through training and consulting in integrating computing and information resources into the curriculum, tracking current and emerging Internet and development technologies, and aiding in the progression and completion of technology grants.

Brian currently resides in Proctorville, Ohio with his wife Melissa and their three children Michael, Katie, and Alex.